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Grass Seed Calculator

Pounds of grass seed for a new lawn or overseeding.

Grass seed
10 lb
Lawn area
2,000 sq ft
Seed needed
10.0 lb5 lb per 1,000 sq ft
25-lb bags
1 bag
Cost (est.)
$60~$6/lb
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Seeding is the cheapest way to a new lawn or to thicken a thin one — a bag of seed covers what a pallet of sod can't afford to. Success is all about the right seed for your region, good seed-to-soil contact, and keeping it moist until it sprouts.

DifficultyBeginner
TimeA few hours to seed; weeks of light watering to establish
SkillsEasy — a spreader and consistent watering do most of the work

Tools you'll need

Step by step

  1. Choose the right seedMatch seed to your climate and sun — cool-season blends (fescue, rye, bluegrass) for northern lawns, warm-season (bermuda, zoysia) for the south.
  2. Prep the seedbedLoosen and rake the top 1/4–1/2" of soil so seed can nestle in and make contact — seed on hard ground just feeds the birds.
  3. Spread at the right rateUse the calculator and the bag rate — heavier for a new lawn, lighter for overseeding. Half the seed one direction, half crosswise for even coverage.
  4. Rake in and coverLightly rake or roll so seed is barely covered (about 1/4"), then add a thin straw or seed-blanket cover to hold moisture.
  5. Keep it moist until it germinatesWater lightly once or twice a day so the top stays damp until seedlings are up, then taper to deeper, less frequent watering.

Common mistakes

Wrong seed for the climate or sun
Pick cool- vs warm-season grass for your region and a shade blend for shady spots, or it won't thrive.
Burying seed too deep
Seed needs light and only ~1/4" of cover. Rake it in gently — don't plow it under.
Letting it dry out
A single dry-out kills sprouting seed. Keep the surface damp with frequent light watering until it's up.

Safety

Frequently asked questions

How much grass seed do I need?
Enter your lawn size and rate above — the calculator returns pounds and bags for new lawns (~5 lb/1,000 sq ft) or overseeding (~3 lb).
When is the best time to seed?
Early fall is ideal for cool-season grass; late spring/early summer for warm-season. Avoid peak heat and hard frost.
New lawn vs overseeding rate?
A new lawn needs about 5 lb per 1,000 sq ft; overseeding an existing lawn about 3. Toggle the rate above.

Next steps for this project

Sod
How much sod you need for a lawn — square feet, pallets, and cost.
Topsoil
How much topsoil you need by area and depth — bags or bulk cubic yards.
Mulch
How much mulch you need by bed size and depth — bags or bulk cubic yards.

Sources & references

Popular Grass Seed sizes

500 sq ft (new lawn)500 sq ft (overseeding)1,000 sq ft (new lawn)1,000 sq ft (overseeding)1,500 sq ft (new lawn)1,500 sq ft (overseeding)2,000 sq ft (new lawn)2,000 sq ft (overseeding)2,500 sq ft (new lawn)2,500 sq ft (overseeding)3,000 sq ft (new lawn)3,000 sq ft (overseeding)4,000 sq ft (new lawn)4,000 sq ft (overseeding)5,000 sq ft (new lawn)5,000 sq ft (overseeding)7,500 sq ft (new lawn)7,500 sq ft (overseeding)10,000 sq ft (new lawn)10,000 sq ft (overseeding)